Spark distributor



Nbv. 24, 1931.

H, c. LEI-IN SPARK DISTRIBUTOR Filed May 25 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 N0 INNTOR 4 ATTORNEY Nov. 24, 1931,

H. c. LEHN SPARK DISTRIBUTOR Filed May 25, 1928' 3 Shams-Sheet 2 ATTOR NEY mama No v. 24, 1931 UNITED STATES ume PATENT orr cs HENRY 0. mm, ornurraLo, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR 'ro won'rnrue'rou'rm'mn mcnmnmr conrom-rrou,or NEW YORK, N. Y., a conroaa'rron or VIRGINIA 51 m ms'rnmu'ronApplication filed Kay 25,

Another object of this invention is to provide an interrupter assemblyfor use in the distributor mechanism of relatively large internalcombustion engines, wherein the volume of explosive mixture is'suchas-to require a plurality of spark plugs for each .cylinder to ensurethe best combustionresults, which interrupter. structure embodies a.plurality of contact makers and breakers corresponding in number to thenumber of spark plugs required, which contactsare operated in unison toprovide simultaneous spark forming energizing of the spark plu In somepower stations, particular y those utilizing that type of internalcombustion engine known as gas engines, the air is impregnated with thecombustible gas and to prevent accumulation of' such gas in thedistributor and to permit inspection of the interrupter assemblies whilein operation, the easing of the distributor is sealed with a transparentcover, and means are provide to per-' mit, at will, the passing of freshair, under, pressure, through the distributor casing.

With these objects .in view, the invention consists in variousfe'atures' of construction and combination of parts, which will be firstdescribed in connection with the accompanying drawings, showing a sparkdistributor ofthepreferred form embodying the invention, andthe featuresforming the in-v vention will bespecifically pointed out in the claims.1 V

' Fig. 1 is afront elevation of the distributor.

Fig. 2 is a top plan of the distributor.

. v Fig. 3 is a vertical section through the distributor taken on theline 33-of Fig. 2.

1928. Serial No. 280,408.

Fig. 4 is a section through the distributor 1 taken on the line 4-4 ofI! ig. 3.

- Fig. 5 is a detailed section through the dis-v tributor taken on theline. 5-5 of Fig. 1.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the improved sparkdistributor comprises a casing 1, which has an annular ring 2 on theinner side or back thereof which fits within the adjustment ring 3. Thering 3 is attached in any suitable manner to a part of the engine withwhich the distributor is used, preferably to the bearing 4 of the camshaft 5 of the engine, and the end of the camshaft 5 projects into thecasing 1.

An operating pin 6 is carried by the cam shaft and projects beyond itsend into the casing .1 for operating the cams of the interrupterassemblies 7. An interrupter assembly 7 -is provided for each of thecylinders of the engine as for example, in a 4 cylinder engine therewill be 4 interrupter assemblies. All of the interrupter assemblies arethe same, or similar in construction and each of them comprises a pairof contactmakers and breakers 8 01? any approved construction mountedupon opposite sides of the axis of the interrupter assembly. The contactmakers and breakers orcontacts 8 are operated by a cam 9 which has, inthe present instance, two operating surfaces 10 thereon, one for each ofthe contacts 8 and'these surfaces 10 are arranged so that uponoscillation of the cam 9 the contacts 8 will be' simultaneously operatedto energize two s ark plugs simultaneousl v The present spar distributoris primar' y for use .on large internal combust on engines in which thevolume of gas or ex-- plosive in each cylinder is so great that it isadvisable to use two or more spark plugs to ensure the best combustionresults in the engine. The two contactors'8 are provided to permitsimultaneous sparking of the two spark plugs in each cylinder.' The cams9' a are rockably mounted in suitable/bearings 11 and they haveoperating levers 12 connected thereto which project into the path of theoperating stud or pin 6, therefore duringthe rotation of the cam shaft5' the stud 6 will successively engage the levers 12 of the variousinterrupter assemblies 7 and operate the cams in sequence for properfiring of the cylinders of the engine with which the spark distributoris used. When the stud 6 engages and moves one of the levers 12, the cam9 to which the lever 12 is connected, will be oscillated or operatednected to.suitable bosses 16 formed on the lever and to studs 17 mountedupon the interrupter assembly carrying bar 18. The return of the lever12 to its normal position will move the cam 9 in a reverse direction,returning it to its normal stationary position in which it remains untilthe lever is again moved by the stud 6. The provision of only two flatsor operating surfaces 10 on each of the cams 9 will prevent theoccurrence of a spark should the engine, equipped with the improvedspark distributor, turn backwards.

Independent adjustment of the interru ter assemblies is permitted, since4 cycle double acting engines require separate or independent adjustmentof the ignition of each cylinder end in order to obtain the best balanceof power between the cylinder ends. For this purpose, each of theinterrupter assemblies 7 1s mounted upon a sliding bar 18 which isadjusted by means of adjusting screw 19 thereon through the casing 1.The sliding bar 18 is held in adjusted position by means of. a lock nut20. The'sliding bars supporting alternate interrupter assemblies overlapat the corners ,as shown at 21 and are held against rotation on theirlongitudinal axis by means of springs 22, which serve not onl thisfunction, but also the function of holding the heads 23 of the clampingT bolts 24 tightly against the ring 3 for attaching the'distributorstructure to the attaching rin 3. The sliding bars 18 are provided withslots 25 to permit their adjustment over the T bolts 24. By adjustmentof the respective adjusting screws 19, the position of any one of theinterrupter assem lies 7 may be adjusted relative to theotherinterrupter assemblies to vary the point of contact ,of the stud 6with the respective lever 12.

The nuts 27 and the springs 22 on the T bolts 24 are adjusted to providesuflicient tension to partially holdthe casing 1, and a fifth T bolt 28is provided for rigidly clamping the casing 1 to the attaching plate orri-n 3 by means of the hand wheel 29. The bolt 28 has a tensioningspring 30'mounted thereon and is similar to the T bolts 24 except thatit has the hand wheel 29 thereon to permit the easy release of theclamping tension of the head 31 against the attaching plate 3 for thepurpose of permitting movement or adjustment of the casing 1 and all ofthe interrupter assemblies 7 in unison for advancing or retarding theentire ignition of the engine. After the tension of the head 31 isreleased by turning the hand wheel 29, the casing 1 is rotated by meansof the handle 32 which is carried thereby.

A suitable indicator, of any approved type, as shown at 33, may beprovided for indicating the adjustment of the entire assembly foradvancing or retarding theientire ignition of the engine. In thedrawings, this indicator 33 comprises a late 34 carried by the casing 31and an indicating finger 35 carried by the attaching ring 33. I

The outer side or front of the casing 1 is closed by a transparent cover36, which may be plate glass or any suitable material, and this cover 36is tightly clamped in place by a clamping ring 37 and clamping screws38, and it is sealed .by suitable sealing gaskets 39. This sealing isdesirable, particularly when the spark distributor is used in connectionwith engines embodying natural or byproduct gases as combustible fuel,because in such instances, the air surrounding the engine is usuallyheavily impregnated with the combustible gas, and it is, of course,undesirable to permit such gas to enter the distributor casing 1. Toermit flushing of the interior of the distri utor or to provide that theinterior of the distributor always has fresh clean air therein, and alsoto prevent gas impregnated air from entering the easmg, the casing 1 hasa nipple 40 connected thereon which is adapted to have connection withthe air hose to permit air under pressure to be forced into thecasing 1. A relief valve 41 of any approved construction is carried bythe casing 1 at a point remote from, the nipple 40 so as to permitcirculation of air through the interior of the casing, and preventforming of excessive pressure in the casing, while allowing a ressure inexcess of atmospheric pressure to e maintained therein.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings, it will be apparent that a spark distributor foruse in connection with internal combustion engines has been provided, inwhich simultaneous operation of a plurality of contactors or of circuitclosers is provided by the oscillation of an operating cam, to simulta-'neously energize a plurality of spark plugs, and also that novel,practicaland simple constructions have been developed to provide forindependent adjustment of any one or all of the interrupter assemblies,to provide proper balancing between the cylinders, and also means topermit simultaneous adjustment of all of the interrupter assemblies foradvancin or; retarding the entire ignition system the engine.

It will be understood that the invention is not to be limited to thespecific construction '5 or arrangement of parts shown-but that thesemay be modified widely within the invention defined by the claims...

What is claimed, is: I ,1. In a spark distributor for ignition systems,a plurality of interrupter assemblies each including make and breakcontactors, a

cam for simultaneously operating the contaetors ,of each interrupterassembly, and means for movin the cams in sequence.

2. In a spark istributor for ignition systems, a plurality ofinterrupter assemblies each including a plurality of make and breakcontactors, a cam for simultaneously operating the contactors of eachinterrupter assem-,

bly, means for moving the cams in sequence,

and means connectedto each cam for reversing the direction of movementof the cam to return it to its normal position after operation of thecontactors.

3.- In a spark distributor for ignition systems, a plurality ofinterrupter assemblies each including a plurality of make and breakcontactors, a cam for simultaneously operating the contactors of eachinterrupter assembly, means for oscillating the cams. in sequence, meansfor adjusting the position of each interrupter assembly independently ofthe'othei' interrupter assemblies in the distributor, and means forsimultaneously adjustin the positions of all the interrupter assem liesto adjust or retard the entire ignition.

4. In spark distributor for ignition systems, a p urality of interrupterassemblies each including a plurality of make and break .contactors, acamfor simultaneously operating the contactors of each interrupterassembly, means for oscillating the cams in sequence, and meansforsimultaneously adjust- "ing the positions of all of the interrupterassemblies to advance or retard the entire ignition.

- 5. -The combination with the cam shaft on an internalcombustionengine, of an interrupter assembly for the ignition system ofthe engine including a plurality of make and break contactors, acam forsimultaneously operating said contactors, means carried bythe cam shaftfor oscillating said cam, and r springs for returning said cam to itsnormal position. i I

6. The combination with the cam shaft of -,-an internal combustionengine, of a spark distributor includinga plurality of inter- 00 rupterassemblies, each of said assemblies comprising a plurality of make andbreak contactors, cams for operating said contacvtors, and means carriedby the cam shaft to move said cams forsimultaneously operat- 65 ing allthe contactors in each interrupter asmoving said cams in sequence, eachcam upon sembly and to move the cams of .the various interrupterassembliesin se uence.

7. The combination with t e cam shaft of an internal combustion engine,of a spark distributor. including a plurality of interrupter assemblies,ea'cli'of said assemblies comprising make and break contactors, cams foroperating said contactors, means carried by the cam shaft to oscillatesaid ,cains for simultaneously operating all the contactors in eachinterrupter assembly and to oscillate the cams of the variousinterrupter assemblies in sequence, and springs for returning said camsto their normal positions. a e

8. A spark distributor for an internal combustion engine including aplurality of interrupter assemblies, each of said assemblies comprisingmake and break contactors, cams for operating said contactors, and meansfor movement simultaneously operating all the contactors in eachinterrupter assembly.'

9. The combination with the cam shaft of an internal combustion engine,of a spark distributor including a plurality of inter rupter assemblies,cams, for operating-said interrupter assemblies, means carried by thecam shaft for moving said cams in pro er sequence, a casing enclosingsaid sparkiiis' tributor, and means to permit the flushingofthe'interior of said casing by air under pressure.

10. A spark distributor for'an internal combustion engine including aplurality of interrupter assemblies, each of said assemblies comprisinga pluralityfof make and break contactors, cams for operating saidcontactors, means for oscillating-said cams in sequence, each cam uponoscillation simultane ously operating all thecontacto'rs in eachinterrupter assembiy, a casing enclosing said spark distributor, andmeans on said casing whereby the interior of the casing may be flushedby airunder pressure. a

' 11. In, a spark distributor for ignition systems, a plurality ofinterru ter assemblies each includingmake and brea contactors, a

cam for simultaneously operating the con-' tactors of each interrupterassembly, means for oscillating the cams insequence, a casing enclosingsaid spark distributor, andmeans on said casing, whereby this interiorof the casing may be flushed by. air under pressure.

12. In a spark distributor for ignition systems, a plurality ofinterrupter assemblies each=including make and break contactors, camsfor operating said contactors,.a' carry: ing bar for each of saidinterrupter assem-v. blies, adjustable means for adjusting each of saidbars, and means for lockin' said bars in:

adjustedpositions, whereby e'ac inte'rrupterf assembly may be adjustedindependently of the other interrupter assemblies in the distributor.

13. In a spark distributor for ignition sys tems, a plurality ofinterrupter assemblies each including make and break contactors, a camfor operating said contactors, a carrying bar for each of saidinterrupter assemblies,

adjustable means for adjusting each of said bars, means for locking saidbars in adjusted positions, whereby each interrupter assembly may beadjusted independently of the other interrupter assemblies in thedistributor andmeans for simultaneously adjusting the positions of allinterrupter assemblies to advance or retard the entire ignition.

14. In a spark distributor for ignition systems, a plurality ofinterrupter assemblies, a

5 casing enclosing said interrupter assemblies,

yieldable attaching means carried by said casing, attaching means forlocking the easing in attached position, said locking attaching meahsreleasable .to permit movement of the casing to'simultaneously adjustthe positions of all of said interrupter assemblies to advance or retardthe entire ignition.

15. In a spark distributor for ignition systems, a plurality ofinterrupter assemblies,

each including aplurality of make and break contactors, a cam forsimultaneously operatmg the contactors of each mterrupter assembly,means for osclllatmg the cams in sequence, acasinoenclosing saidinterrupter assembhes, yieldable attaching means carried by said casing,attaching means for locking the casing in attached position, saidlocking attachingmeans releasable to permit movement of the casing tosimultaneously adjust the positions of all of said interrupterassemblies relative to said cam oscillating means to advance or retardthe entire ignition.

16. In a spark distributor for ignition systems, alurality o-finterrupter assemblies,

, each inc uding make and break contactor, a

cam for operating the eontactor of each interrupter assembly, means foroscillating the cams in sequence, a carrying bar for each of saidinterrupter assemblies, adjustable means for adjusting each of-sald barsto vary the position of each interrupter assembly independently of theother relative to said cam oscillating means.

17, In a spark distributor for ignition systems,,a pluralityof-interrupter assemblies,

05 ment of the casing to simultaneously adjust the positions of all ofsaid interrupter assemblies relative to said cam oscillating means.

18. In a spark distributor for ignition systems, a plurality ofinterrupter assemblies, a carrying bar for each of said interrupterassemblies, adjustable means for adjusting each of said bars toindependently adjust the positions of said interrupter assemblies, acasing enclosing said distributor, yieldable attaching means carried bysaid casing, at-

taching means for locking the casing in attached position, said lockingattaching means releasable to permit movement of the casing tosimultaneously adjust the positions of all of said interrupterassemblies.

' 19. In a spark distributor for ignition systems, aplurality ofinterrupter assemblies each including a make and break contactor, acontactor operating cam'in each interrupter assembly, means for movingthe cams in sequence, and means-connected to'each cam to return it toits normal position after operation of the contactors.

20. In a spark distributor for ignition systems, a plurality ofinterrupter assemblies each includinga make and break contactor,

a contaetor operating cam in'each interrupter assembly, means for movingthe cams in sequence, and means for adjusting the position of eachinterrupter assembly independently of the other interrupter assembliesin the distributor.

In testimony whereof I afiix my si nature.

HENRY o. LEHN.

